Hi all,

I have had a look but can't seem to find any posts on what to look out for on the 100hp as potential problems!

I've been looking for a while as it's time for my wife to downsize and I've loved the look of these things for ages.
Anyway, found one that's not a million miles away, 07 plate with less than 30k on the clock....2 owners!
I've been told tonight that the wiper motor has just packed in so that will need addressing.
It's got winter tyres on it (which I'm assuming will make handling interesting) what would ideal tyres be?
Whats the story with bump stops and shocks, how do you know when they have gone/ need replacing?

Anything else to look for...going to see it on Friday.

Thanks in advance....if this one falls through it will be happening soon!

I've been told tonight that the wiper motor has just packed in so that will need addressing.
Seems low miles for that. Never heard of that before. Not just a fuse after someone tried to put the wipers on when they were frozen to the screen?


It's got winter tyres on it (which I'm assuming will make handling interesting) what would ideal tyres be?
Yes, the 100HP feels especially weird on winter tyres. Replace with 195/50-15 Uniroyal Rainsport (move away from 45 profile)


Whats the story with bump stops and shocks, how do you know when they have gone/ need replacing?
Bump-stops may or may not go but can be replaced with a variety of fixes from other FIATs. Rear shocks can go after 20000 miles (knocking from eth rear). Cheap enough.

Anything else to look for...going to see it on Friday.
Steering wheel leather peeling. Otherwise pretty solid.

It was very cold so wiper fuse may be the issue.....I'm hoping anyway but I won't be telling the seller!

Thanks for other advice.

winter tyres are the ideal tyre atm as its winter, summer tyres are not ideal below 7 degrees

dave said:

winter tyres are the ideal tyre atm as its winter, summer tyres are not ideal below 7 degrees

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:yeahthat:

One thing, Check the heating. Pandas with digital climate control tend to have an issue where the spline for the heater flap shears off. When I got my panda I realized this issue, it can be quite annoying when it's a cold and frosty day and you have no way to warm up. Especially when you are 40 mins into your journey breathing steam and still shivering due to the cold.

Hope that don't put you off, It's will be a great car in the summer! (or when I get round to fixing it)

CCTG said:

One thing, Check the heating. Pandas with digital climate control tend to have an issue where the spline for the heater flap shears off. When I got my panda I realized this issue, it can be quite annoying when it's a cold and frosty day and you have no way to warm up. Especially when you are 40 mins into your journey breathing steam and still shivering due to the cold.

Hope that don't put you off, It's will be a great car in the summer! (or when I get round to fixing it)

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Its really not all that common.

Thanks everyone for advice.....new Panda on the way!!

The last owners had a private reg on it so I'm waiting for the old plate to go back on. Collect it next weekend.

Bodywork a little bit tired....wee bump in the back and a scratched mirror cover. One bump stop missing and the other hanging on for dear life....
A tyre with a side bulge where it's obviously been kerbed so I'm guessing that could be a dented alloy too...will see.

Oh..and intermittant wiper issue...that could be fun but ive read in another post on here about blocked drain holes causing water ingress and electrical gremlins. The day it happened with the wiper issue this week it was snowing so I'm hoping that will be an easy fix!

Other than a really good clean it's not needing much. Only 28k miles...paid just under 2k for it so I'm happy just now.

Congrats, sounds like a nice thing to put YOUR mark on..,

have you owned FIAT GROUP cars before..??

some things are "Different.."

Charlie - on my 32nd FIAT.. ; - ) Oxford

Punto mk1, 75hp....saved from the scrap heap at the mammoth cost of 500 quid! 4 years trouble free motoring! (Well....except a leaky sunroof).
Punto mk 2...16v. Think I paid 1200 for it....3 years trouble free...snowy road and a tree ended that one.
Had a 3 year hiatus whilst on volvo's....and techincally this Panda is for my wife but who buys cars that their wives actually want??? This is my weekend toy.

You will love the car. All cars can get problems so it's not any worse than potentially any other car. I have had 3 now and loved them all.

They are great.. winter tyres are just noiser than summer tyres, and made of softer rubber so will wear quicker!

I have Uniroyals on my car having come from Bridgestone, and I am still getting used to how much sharper the turn in is and the level of grip.

As to issues, there are not too many, some drink oil some don't. The suspension is a bit harsh, but that can also be due to over inflate tyres.

Gavv8 said:

Its really not all that common.

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Agreed.

eaurouge said:

and made of softer rubber so will wear quicker!

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Actually studies have shown that summers will wear faster than winters, when used in the winter, believe it or not

Actually studies have shown that summers will wear faster than winters, when used in the winter, believe it or not

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Very true.. as they slip all over the place... I adore my Uniroyals, now I am used to driving on them, at first I was turning in too much

Ok...so just to open a debate....whats best tyres I should go for....???

185-55-15 is correct isn't it?

ricky the ginger said:

Ok...so just to open a debate....whats best tyres I should go for....???

185-55-15 is correct isn't it?

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Errr no. Standard are 195/45-15 and many of us have switched to 195/50-15


Mine wears Uniroyal Rainsports.

And for winters the manual says 185/55 14, but mine works well on 185/60 14. Same circumferance as the 195/50 15.

gr J

ricky the ginger said:

whats best tyres I should go for....???

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Best for what? Fuel economy, grip, wear, value?

Best for grip and as I'm in Scotland wet weather grip would possibly be safest!

ricky the ginger said:

Best for grip and as I'm in Scotland wet weather grip would possibly be safest!

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Just for the British Isles in general TBH. And their dry grip is pretty decent too, also, has anyone told you they have little SHARKS on them?